All of a sudden, I found myself with a dog in my possession. I didn’t really have a good reason for why I actually bought him from that man; it was honestly just a sudden move made out of pure impulse.
But as I looked down at the little creature while carrying him carefully in the crook of my one arm— he really was undeniably cute, so I decided that I would just go ahead and keep him.
’Now, I actually have another traveling companion to keep company along with Bong.’
I thought that to myself.
Anyway, I spent a little more ti looking around the village; but there was really nothing else interesting or useful for to see. And so, I decided to use all of the remaining ti I had just petting Bong and Onyx while they rested. I also made sure to feed both of them.
I still had so leftover at jerkies that Kael had given to earlier, and that is exactly what I ended up giving to Onyx as a little snack.
And once the hour we were given had almost passed— I started heading back toward the gate to et up with the others.
*****
"Huh? Who is that little guy you’ve got there?"
Kael asked that the mont he saw approaching the group, his eyes fixed curiously on Onyx who was still resting in my arm.
It looked like they had just finished their own business not long after I arrived, as they were currently busy stocking so extra resources and crates on top of the golden carriage.
Anyway— it really seed like Onyx was the star of the show for the ti being, as everyone in the squad was staring at him, even Elianna.
"I gave him the na Onyx, I bought him from a local hunter. The previous owner ntioned that they were about to give Onyx away to soone else anyway because the dog was supposedly sick."
I explained the situation to them simply.
"He is sick?"
Elianna asked, her voice showing a hint of concern.
"I can heal him for you if he is unwell, and for free of course."
Then she followed up with that offer, extending both of her hands out toward the puppy. It really looked like she just wanted an excuse to hold Onyx for herself.
"Uhh, he is not actually sick in the traditional way— it is just that he has stopped growing entirely for so reason."
I said that to clarify. The look of pure disappointnt that flashed across Elianna’s face was so obvious the mont I told her that he didn’t need healing.
Kael and the other knights noticed her reaction as well, and they all turned their heads to look at at once.
’What on earth am I supposed to do in a situation like this...?!’
I exclaid that in my head, feeling the awkward pressure. But then, a helpful thought suddenly entered my mind—
"Ah...!"
I let out a small noise of realization, and Elianna quickly looked back at after hearing that sound.
"If you would be willing to allow it, do you think you could have Onyx join you inside the carriage for the ti being? We are going to be on a very long journey and the road outside is not relatively peaceful. I really don’t want him to end up in any trouble or get hurt."
I asked her that politely.
"Of course, I would fully understand it if you chose to decline the request... I am also very sorry for being so impudent and asking such a big favor of you."
Then I followed up with those words to give her an out.
"..."
Elianna didn’t say anything back to at first, but it was incredibly obvious from her expression that she was happy about the idea. Then, with a dignified nod of her head—
"I have taken a pledge to protect everyone, so letting that little guy stay inside my carriage for his own safety is simply a part of my duty."
She declared that, doing her best to act as calm and professional as usual.
’I honestly don’t know if this woman is actually hard or easy to read.’
I thought to myself while watching her.
I saw Kael and the rest of the knights standing behind Elianna, and they were all secretly giving a thumbs up; basically saying that I did a great job handling the Saintess. I don’t really care about their approval, but at least I know Onyx’s safety is now guaranteed for the trip.
... ... ...
It only took us a short while longer to finish loading up all the supplies on top of the golden carriage, and once again; it was ti for us to continue our journey.
"I want to apologize in advance if he ever causes any problems for you inside."
I said that as I carefully handed Onyx over to Elianna. Elianna took him into her arms, then opening her mouth—
"You don’t need to worry about that, I will be taking very good care of him."
She replied with that. I just gave her a small smile and nodded my head at her words.
I saw Onyx’s little tail wagging happily as well the mont Elianna picked him up, so I guess at the very least he is not scared of her presence. The two of them then entered the golden carriage together, and without any further ado— we departed from the village.
*****
After finally leaving the village behind, we traveled along the road for a few more hours, until the sun had completely fallen and the moon had risen in its place.
We stopped to camp in the middle of nowhere again, where everywhere we looked was just a plain of grass along with the dirt path we were on.
We imdiately started setting up our camp— I finished mine in under a minute as I have gotten very used to making my own tent, and that is the only thing I literally have to do.
I looked over at Kael and the others, who were working along with the coachman; they were all still working together to get the larger tents ready.
I found a small, flat rock near my own tent, and there... I sat down for a while to rest.
"..."
I was silently looking up at the bright moon in the sky.
"This little guy seems to be looking specifically for you now."
-Arf!
When I suddenly heard a feminine voice speaking from behind , it was followed by a sharp and very energetic bark as well. I turned my body around and saw Elianna standing there with Onyx; she was carrying him on her arm.
It was a bit of a weird scenery to behold— seeing an armored young lady carrying such a cute little puppy.
Anyway, Elianna leaned down and put Onyx on the ground—
-Arf! Arf! Arf!
And he started running toward as fast as his little legs could carry him. Seeing that sight made feel happy, and I let a smile form on my face unconsciously.
"Thank you very much for taking such good care of him today."
I looked back up at Elianna and told her that.
"It was really no problem at all, you can leave him to anyti you need during our travel."
She responded. Then, deciding to use this opportunity to get so information—
"By the way, if you don’t mind asking, why exactly are you heading to the City of Zore?"
I followed up with that question.
"Oh, I apologize if I asked sothing personal that I shouldn’t have."
I added quickly.
Elianna shook her head to show it was fine, then with her lips parting—
"We are heading there specifically to close the dungeon that has appeared; it is the sa one you ntioned hearing about from the rumors."
She stated that clearly.
"When we first t back at the City of Nash, I was only there to ask for extra reinforcents that would eventually lead to Zore; those reinforcents are Kael and the others."
She said.
"What exactly do you an when you say you want to close the dungeons? Like, do you an you want to restrict it from the public and gain exclusive rights to the treasures inside?"
I asked another question right after that, raising a curious brow.
Elianna looked at with a small frown. I an, I was basically accusing her church of hoarding resources, but after letting out a long breath—
"You really don’t know anything about how dungeons work, do you."
She mumbled that.
"Uhh, that is right, mainly because I am—"
"I know, you were from a very small territory and simply don’t know much about how the wider world works."
Elianna cut off before I could even finish saying my usual bullshit story again. Then after that, looking directly at —
"Okay, I am going to tell you a little bit about what dungeons actually are."
She declared that.
’Sweet.’
I thought to myself, smiling internally at the prospect of free information.
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